Stellenbosch Rules

[Basil2]

From the Herald's ru site:

When the SANZAR strategy review resumes today, the ARU will ask SANZAR to support the introduction of the new experimental rules - the Stellenbosch Laws - in all Super 14, domestic Tests and Tri Nations fixtures from next year.

All eight of these laws - which are aimed at simplifying the game and encouraging more attacking play - will be used in the inaugural Australian Rugby Championship that starts next month.

At last. Now to fix the problem of the 3 point penalty goal!

[kier]

I looked at a youtube video of a scottish RU game played under these rules. It reminded me of an article by Colin Welland (a kind of British Thomas Keneally - for those in the SH) written just after RU went open and also the final chapter in Geoffrey Moorhouse's "At The George" book.

Both are supporters of the idea of both RL and RU reforming to create a genuine world rugby code. Both would be happy to support 'a kind of RL with lineouts'.

The stenllebosch rules look similar to that - remove kicking out from the 22 and it's getting close to pre 1950s RL (unlimited tackles and a 3m offside).

I think it was Maurice Lindsay who said as Wigan won the Middlesex sevens - "We are jealous of their international fixtures. They're jealous of our rules and our players."

[Basil2]

kier said:

Both are supporters of the idea of both RL and RU reforming to create a genuine world rugby code. Both would be happy to support 'a kind of RL with lineouts'.

Pipedream that I think Kier. Far better & more interesting with the two codes I think.

The stenllebosch rules look similar to that - remove kicking out from the 22 and it's getting close to pre 1950s RL (unlimited tackles and a 3m offside).

With the exception of rucks/mauls & lineouts & competitive scrums. It'll be inteesting to see the changes.

[kier]

The maul is basically gone from modern RU under the S.Bch rules, and the ruck is simplified and faster.

RL scrums were very competitive until 20 years ago - so you can see the parallel I was trying to depict? :-)

[Basil2]

kier said:

The maul is basically gone from modern RU under the S.Bch rules, and the ruck is simplified and faster.

RL scrums were very competitive until 20 years ago - so you can see the parallel I was trying to depict? :-)

I certainly can, but I still prefer the idea of two separate codes.
BTW how did you locate that Scottish game played under the S rules. I couldn't find it when i searched.

[kier]

I typed in 'scottish rugby new laws irb' into youtube - a few different videos came up.